Gessner, C.

Thierbuch, das ist ein kurze Beschreybung aller vierfüssingen Thieren; Vogelbuch; Fischbuch, vollkomne Beschreybung aller Fischen so in dem Meer und süssen Wasseren; Schlangenbuch; De Scorpione, kurze Beschreybung des Scorpions. (The complete Gesner, all in early editions).

      - Zürich, Froschauer, 1575-1589. Five books in two. Folio (38.5 x 23.5 cm) text with about 1,275 fine woodcuts in the text (several full page). Good recent calf binding in old style with new flyleaves. *A very good set of the German language edition of Gesner's animal omnibus. These volumes are all early imprints. The Historiae animalium first appeared in 4 folio volumes printed in Zurich by Christoffel Froschouwer. A German translation, also printed by Froschouwer, followed in 1563 and was reprinted several times. This set contains the following: Thierbüch (1583, 3rd); Vogelbüch (1582, 3rd); Fischbüch (1575, 2nd); Schlangenbüch (1589, 1st); De Scorpione (1589, 1st). The Fischbüch contains invertebrates as well, including many Mollusca. It is rare to see such a mixed set. This important work may be seen as the starting point of modern zoology. The first few leaves of the Thierbuch have been restored in the lower corner and there is a little thumbing in corners as usual in all 5 books. A few repaired tears and a vague library stamp on 2 titles. Some handwritten notes in an old hand. In the "Vogelbuch" several marginal annotations in an old hand, the last 40 ll. have a large waterstain. In all a very good and collectible set with broad margins and strong imprint of the woodcuts. Nissen ZBI, 1552, 1555, 1557; Nissen IVB, 350.